Cardboard Box Teaches Lesson in Homelessness

BURLEIGH – Pastor Brad Boyer has spent a night in a cardboard box for the last three years to support the work of Family Promise, a local organization that helps homeless families on the road to permanent housing.
He has endured three years of damp, chilly, wet conditions and realizes he can come in from the harsh conditions after one night.
“One night in a cardboard box is not an option for the homeless. For them, it’s every night,” Boyer said.
Boyer has built his own box home every year and has yet to find a design that keeps him warm and dry.
“I’m sure the homeless have not found a fail-safe design, either. In winter, it is cold and there is nothing to keep you warm. Summer, it’s hot with bugs and again, no relief,” surmised Boyer. “There is no good time of year to be homeless.”
Boyer found a sturdy cardboard box with sturdy sides and a floor, but he needed to find something to cover the roof.
“I used some old vinyl banners with brass grommets that were laying around the church for a roof and bent some metal clothes hangers to stake them to the ground. It worked,” explained Boyer.
Remembering the rocks and rough gravel lot in front of The Lighthouse Church, which hosted the event, Boyer reclaimed some old foam to act as a mattress.
“Putting all of this together really brings the plight of the homeless into perspective. They have so much to overcome just to lie down and rest,” Boyer said.
The annual sleep out is named Cardboard Box City, a homeless awareness event and fundraiser focused on educating youth on the realities of homelessness and sharing how Family Promise of Cape May County serves homeless families.
Laurie Johnson, director, Family Promise, said the event has expanded its previous mission.
“We are reaching out to adults now too, with this event, to make them aware of the plight of the homeless. It really affects everybody,” Johnson said.
Boyer concurred as he serves on the board of Cape Hope, a local organization that offers help to those desiring to overcome the physical, emotional and financial barriers that keep them from permanent housing and guide them to achieve their goals to re-enter the community.
Boyer’s church, Cape Community Church, just north of the Cardboard City, serves as a warming center for Middle Township. Cape Hope operates the center. The church also offers families a place to stay as part of the Family Promise program.
“Homelessness is a large problem with many complexities. If all the organizations, working with local municipalities and individuals, do a part to end homelessness, it makes the work easier. Everybody can do something,” Boyer said.
As Boyer got in the soup line to grab a grilled cheese sandwich and a cup of tomato soup, The Lighthouse Church band played and workers started setting up a screen to show a movie later in the evening.
“The food and entertainment are nice touches for the participants of this event, but for the homeless, life outdoors is cold, lonely and wretched. Hopefully, we can work together to change that,” said Boyer.
To contact Carl Price, email cprice@cmcherald.com.